Melky Cabrera had become one of the most popular Giants, hitting line drives to all fields, solidifying his role as the left fielder and third hitter and turning fans into Melk Men and Melk Maids.

As the All-Star Game MVP and majors' hits leader, Cabrera was to play a substantial role in the final seven weeks of the Giants' playoff pursuit.

Now he'll be a no-show.

Cabrera, whose level of play dramatically escalated the past two seasons, was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for testosterone, a performance-enhancing drug, a violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension (without pay) began Wednesday, with 45 games remaining, putting a serious dent in the Giants' postseason chances. Until further notice, Gregor Blanco is the left fielder and, in a thinner lineup, Pablo Sandoval is the No. 3 hitter.

After Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals, players spoke about stepping up and moving on, but it'll be no easy transition after losing the National League's second-leading hitter (.346) who had 11 homers and 60 RBIs and a league-high 84 runs.

"We still have great guys," Blanco said. "We've just got to continue to play baseball and believe in ourselves. This is about playing with heart. We're a winning team."

First baseman Brandon Belt added, "We still feel we have a great shot at this thing, especially with the pitching we have."

Manager Bruce Bochy had to change his original lineup, which included Cabrera, after getting the news from the commissioner's office. Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean met with Cabrera, and Bochy met with the team. Cabrera exited without cleaning out his locker or addressing reporters.

"The fact he's not going to be here to help us, that hurts him," Bochy said.

Cabrera, who chose not to take his case to an arbiter, released a statement issued by the players' association:

"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down."

Unlike many other hitters over the years, Cabrera embraced swinging a bat at pitching-friendly China Basin, hitting .324 in home games, the league's eighth-highest home average. He also built a love affair with fans, who appreciated him as the team's best overall left fielder since Barry Bonds.

But the goodwill generated after Sabean acquired him from Kansas City in November for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez has evaporated. Wednesday's news of Cabrera's positive test, a result of an in-season urine sample, came one week after it was reported the Giants and Cabrera's agents shelved talks for a contract extension.

Cabrera will lose the remainder of his 2012 salary, about $1.6 million, and perhaps tens of millions in free agency. Asked if he sees Cabrera playing for him or the Giants again, Bochy said, "I can't answer that. This guy's a real good player. He's a good person. These are questions I can answer a little bit later. But right now, I can't."

When the regular season ends, Cabrera will have five games left in his suspension. He'll serve them at the start of next season or in this year's playoffs, if the Giants get that far and welcome him back. Despite being on the restricted list, he could be on a playoff roster and play once eligible.

"Every team, whether it's an injury or not, you're going to lose guys during the year," Posey said. "So we have to approach the rest of the year with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder and give everything we've got."

Of the four big-leaguers suspended this season because of performance-enhancing drugs, two were Giants. The other Giant was reliever Guillermo Mota, who was penalized 100 games (as a two-time offender) and is eligible to return to the team Aug. 28. He began a rehab assignment in Arizona on Tuesday, appearing in a rookie-level game.

"We were extremely disappointed to learn of the suspension of Melky Cabrera for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program," the Giants said in a statement.

"Per the protocol outline by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Giants will not comment further on this matter."

Big part of offense

Melky Cabrera has been one of the most productive hitters in the National League this year. How he ranks on the Giants and in the NL (through Tuesday):